A DUI charge and conviction can follow you around for your entire life. It is wise to make sure that you have formed the best defensive strategy and that you are ready to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case against you. An experienced Memphis DUI defense lawyer can help you do that.
Should I Hire a DUI Lawyer?
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer who has experience handling DUI cases is our recommendation. The stakes are high here, and you need to do everything that you can to defend yourself. If convicted of a DUI, you could be punished with:
- Fines of up to $1,500
- A one-year revocation of your driver’s license
- Mandatory enrollment in a drug and alcohol treatment program
- Jail time
- The installation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle
It is important to note that these are just the punishments that you face for a first offense. If you have been convicted of a DUI before, have other charges on your record, or registered a BAC higher than .20%, your punishments can be even more severe. Underage drivers and holders of commercial licenses can also face additional penalties.
What Are the Best Defenses Against a DUI Charge?
When you are accused of driving under the influence, you need to find ways to show that the state’s side of the story is not necessarily truthful. Our lawyers have a few ways of doing this. We can say:
There was no cause for the stop: Police need to have probable cause when they pull you over. If they do not any evidence they gained, like BAC and sobriety test results, can be thrown out. It is hard for a DUI case to proceed without evidence.
The test was conducted incorrectly: We can say that the cops conducted the field sobriety test improperly. We can also question the veracity of the breath test results. A breathalyzer is like any other machine. It can be calibrated wrong or it can be improperly cared for, leading to a bad rating.
You threw up or had acid reflux: Throwing up can affect the reading on the breathalyzer and acid reflux can have a similar effect. The cops are supposed to wait to perform the test if you are sick. If they do not, your results might not be accurate.
There are explanations for your DUI symptoms: Your eyes were red, but that was due to allergies, not alcohol. You had an issue walking in a straight line, but an injury was to blame. We can show that the “evidence” of your intoxication can be explained away by medical issues.
Schedule a Consultation With Our Legal Team
Take this DUI charge seriously and consult with our legal team today. Contact Ballin, Ballin & Fishman, PC and we will set up your free initial appointment. Then we can look at the facts of your case and tell you about our defensive options.
